CLIENT STORY
Virtual Assistant for Birth Photographers and Doulas in Melbourne
Soulful Support for a Birth Photographer, Doula and Industry Leader
Supporting Melbourne birth photographers, doulas and perinatal leaders with grounded systems, content support and dependable operational partnership.
The Client
Client: Lacey Barratt
Location: Melbourne, VIC
Industry: Birth photography, doula support, perinatal education, global membership community
Service Provided: Soulful Support (ongoing)
Lacey is an award winning birth photographer, doula and multi-CEO of three rapidly expanding businesses, including a global association supporting birth photographers around the world. With a large online audience, multiple offerings and a team to lead, she needed sustained operational support that matched the complexity and pace of her work.
She sought a Melbourne based virtual assistant who understood birth work, advocacy, high volume service delivery and the emotional intensity of on call care. She needed structure, consistency and a partner she could trust to keep everything moving.
The Challenge
Before working together, Lacey was experiencing:
- constant context switching
- tasks spread across multiple platforms with no cohesive workflow
- administrative overload that pulled her away from client care and creative leadership
- inconsistent systems due to fast growth
- ongoing pressure to stay visible online while running multiple businesses
- a heavy mental load and unfinished tasks sitting at ninety percent
- limited capacity for planning, strategic decisions or creative projects
She described feeling overstimulated and unable to finish projects to the standard she wanted. Her business was successful, but behind the scenes it was operating on pure adrenaline.
She needed grounded operational support, a clear communication rhythm and someone who would honour her work ethic, high standards and the emotional load of birth work.
The Solution
The Solution – Soulful Support for Melbourne Birth Workers
Our work together spanned multiple years and included high touch support across operations, content, systems, team coordination and large scale industry projects.
1. Systems and Operations
- created and maintained standard operating procedures
- stabilised daily workflows across both businesses
- documented and refined internal processes
- created structure around on call communication and response needs
- supported backend migration for membership and training platforms
- managed hiring processes including sourcing and vetting new VAs
- streamlined project management for ongoing and seasonal tasks
2. Client and Membership Support
- maintained and refined membership systems
- supported association operations throughout yearly cycles
- assisted with community management tasks
- oversaw complex event and competition workflows
- managed time sensitive customer communication
- refined automations, forms and user experience touchpoints
3. Content and Visibility
- scheduled ongoing content across brands
- created social media graphics, carousels, slideshow sequences and branded templates
- supported launches, workshops and announcements
- coordinated newsletters and email sequences
- ensured aligned and consistent visibility without pressure
4. High Level Project Support
- project managed annual international image competitions
- coordinated virtual summits and industry events
- supported a large scale local exhibition for the 2024 IAPBP Image Competition
- liaised with specialists, contractors, partners and guest experts
- oversaw updates across websites, digital resources and brand assets
- provided strategic insight via voice note and email whenever needed
She received not only task support but a strategic and emotionally attuned operational partner who could manage the many moving parts of her multi six figure ecosystem.
The Results
Through Soulful Support, Soulful Strategy and Soulful Growth Lacey experienced:
- significantly reduced overwhelm
- smoother and more consistent daily operations
- clearer internal systems and streamlined workflows
- dependable content and visibility rhythms
- more time for photography, doula work and creative leadership
- improved client and member experience
- increased capacity to lead, teach and advocate
- steady support during high volume seasons and intense on call periods
- the ability to maintain momentum without burnout
Her businesses now operate with clarity, structure and a level of steadiness that allows for sustainable expansion.
The transformation
Before working with Kathleen Amy .Virtual:
“[I was] completing things to an approach of done was better than perfect. However, it wasn’t ever really ‘done’, it was always 90% completed. This left lesser-than-desired customer and client experiences… I was so over-stimulated I just didn’t have the capacity to do anymore.”
After working with Kathleen Amy .Virtual:
“You are an absolute dream and I am so happy you are in our corner. The association is finally moving like a well oiled machine and I am so proud of where we are from where we have come. I am stoked about where we are going. It is literally not possible without your quick wittiness, clever strategy and bad assery. Thank you.” Lacey – Award Winning Birth Photographer, Doula and CEO
Why This Matters for Melbourne Birth Photographers and Doulas
Birth workers in Melbourne often juggle:
- unpredictable schedules
- emotionally intense client experiences
- fast response needs
- content and visibility pressures
- operational tasks competing with creative energy
- community leadership roles
- administrative and booking workloads
- the emotional intensity of perinatal care
A precise blend of Soulful Support, Soulful Strategy and Soulful Growth provides grounded partnership, spacious structure and intuitive operational support so your business runs smoothly, even during your busiest seasons.
Ready for Support
If you are a birth photographer, doula or perinatal practitioner in Melbourne and want grounded, dependable support that honours your work, I would love to connect.
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